Would it be too hard for a first project? It doesn't look crazy difficult to me (but then, I'm not a quilter). What do you think? Can you recommend a book or something to get me started. I think I understand the sewing blocks together part... I'm am a little more concerned with the quilting things down to the puffy middle and backing part.

That shouldn't be too hard. It's a neat idea! You sound pretty comfortable with your skills. You'll have to figure out the pattern yourself but that's kind of self explanitory... remember to add seam allowances. You won't have to worrry about matching up your corners with this pattern either (big plus for a first quilt!) You basically sew the blocks into strips, and then sew the strips together before sewing them to the large plain peices. Prewashing your fabric and pressing all the seams will create a professional finish and make everything come together a lot easier.

To add the batting and "quilt" it.... stack your backing, the batting and then the top on a large flat area. It looks like this was quilted with straight stitching lines in a grid every 9" or so. It could be kind of tricky to fasten your layers and keep then even with it being your first time. You'll want to start in the center and keep watching the back to check for puckering at the intersections. You might want to practice on something smaller, like a matching pillow top first.

It would be much easier just tie your quilt with something like a red or neutral colored embroidery floss, and the look would still compliment the design. Start at the center and pin where you want your ties to be, (use a ruler to mark the grid on the top of your quilt) then start at the center again and tie where each pin is and remove the pins as you go. If you plan to use it and wash it often, I think I would tie it at least every 4-5 inches so that the batting doesn't shift. The tie should be a surgical knot, like a square knot except you wrap the thread once more and repeat when you make the second knot.

It is a really cute quilt. As noted above, it shouldn't be too difficult for a first quilt.

I enjoy actually sewing the quilt top; not so much the actual quilting part. But I have found that using a temporary spray adhesive to 'glue' the top and back to the batting is really helpful! (I use a type that is called 505 spray and fix) I usually use basting pins (curved safety pins) in addition to the adhesive.